THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, FEBRUARY 9, 2026
The 58th Annual Conference and International Seminar of the Odisha
Economic Association (OEA), held on February 7–8, 2026, in collaboration with
the KIIT School of Economics and Commerce (KSEC) at KIIT Deemed to be
University, concluded on a high note, reaffirming the central role of economics
in shaping inclusive development, sustainability, and evidence-based public
policy.
Organised under the leadership of Prof. Jagannath Lenka, President of the
OEA, with Prof. Himanshu Sekhar Rout, Secretary, OEA, guiding the
organisational framework, the conference reflected strong academic rigour and
institutional coordination. The academic direction of the conference was
steered by Prof. Sukanta Chandra Swain, Conference Chairman and Dean of the
KIIT School of Economics & Commerce, while the overall coordination and
seamless execution were overseen by Dr. Saswat Kishore Mishra, Associate Dean
of the KIIT School of Economics & Commerce, who served as the Conference
Convenor-cum-Organising Secretary.
The two-day conference brought together eminent economists, academicians,
policymakers, researchers, and students from across the country and abroad,
fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas on development challenges, sustainability
imperatives, and future economic pathways for Odisha and beyond. The inaugural
session was graced by Prof. Deepak Nayyar, former Vice-Chancellor of the
University of Delhi, former Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India,
and former Secretary, Ministry of Finance, New Delhi, as the Chief Guest. In
his keynote address, Prof. Nayyar stressed the urgent need to rethink
macroeconomic policies through an employment-centric lens, arguing that
sustainable solutions to employment challenges in developing countries must be
firmly rooted in people-centric growth strategies.
The inaugural session also witnessed the presence of Prof. Jnyana Ranjan
Mohanty, Registrar, KIIT Deemed to be University. Prof. Achyuta Samanta,
Founder of KIIT and KISS and Chief Patron of the Conference, was gratefully
acknowledged and thanked in absentia for his continued support and vision in
promoting academic excellence and socially relevant research.
The valedictory session featured Prof. Debasish Mishra of the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, who delivered an insightful address on the economics of auction design. He elaborated on how markets are shaped by incentives, information asymmetries, and strategic behaviour, offering participants a deeper understanding of contemporary market mechanisms and policy design.
The deliberations across technical sessions and plenaries culminated in a shared resolve to carry forward the ideas and insights generated at the conference into research agendas, classroom discourse, and public policy interventions. The conference underscored a unifying message that economics, at its core, must remain anchored in people, informed choices, and the broader goal of societal well-being, reinforcing its relevance in addressing the complex challenges of a rapidly changing world.
